Stoke City manager Mark Robins has set an ambitious target for the club this season, saying he wants players who will "run through brick walls" as the Potters aim to challenge for promotion to the Premier League.
Club owner John Coates has made clear that a competitive push for the top eight is expected. Robins acknowledged the pressure but framed it as a positive driver for the squad.
"We spoke the other day and the owners made it clear, we're looking to be challenging for that top eight," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.
Summer Transfer Activity
Stoke have been active in the transfer market over the summer, bringing in five new players: Ethan Galbraith, Svante Ingelsson, Djibril Soumare, Luke Graham and Josh Griffiths. The club has also made Milan Smit's move permanent.
Sporting director Jonathan Walters promised "multiple signings" ahead of the transfer window, and Robins said he is pleased with the business completed so far.
"It's really early and we've got a long way to go, there's no doubt, but we've got some really good players in the building," Robins said. "It's just getting them back up to speed and doing that as safe as possible whilst really grafting."
Eight Years Since Relegation
Stoke dropped out of the Premier League in 2018 and have not returned since. Their best finish in the Championship during that period came in 14th place. Last season, the club finished 17th, 18 points off the play-off places despite spending much of the first half of the campaign in the top six.
The club began pre-season training in earnest last week in preparation for another promotion push.
Changes in Playing Style
How Stoke play and shape their identity as a team has been highlighted as important, with Walters adamant that more possession and energy will be key factors going forward.
Robins agreed that cultural changes are necessary. "There's little bits that need to change," he said. "You look at the culture and what I want, we want, as a football club, to really run through brick walls for the supporters."
He stressed that this commitment would be non-negotiable, though he acknowledged it must be developed gradually. "You've got to get to that point gradually, you can't just do it straight away and players have got to take time and recognise that," Robins said. "If you don't want to do it, you're leaving them behind."